Most of the design world will be traveling this week- either to High Point or Milan.

Milan Design Week  held April 17^th -22^nd is THE place to visit for engaging exhibitions, innovation, surprise and around every corner- delight. i saloni is the benchmark. In it’s 51^st year it’s at the Rho fairgrounds expecting 280,000 + visitors.

via Core 77

Part of i saloni, SaloneSatellite was the first event to focus on young design talent and has become the quintessential meeting place for manufacturers, talent scouts and the most promising young designers. This year’s theme , Design<->Technology, is in honor of Steve Jobs – as the press says because he “taught us to dream and to believe in the possibilities of technology and creativity.”

But the real action is in Milan center and its neighborhoods. From the posh luxury brand stores on Via MonteNapoleon to Zona Tortona and Lambrate the show is a patch work of lofts, storefronts, warehouses, galleries. Milan Design Week  invented the “pop-up”. On my first visit- I was handed a map, put in a cab and sent on my way. I was exhilarated and panic stricken at the same time.  I guess that’s why my memories are still crystal clear.

You can’t feel alone, because the crowds are crazy and I mean 24/7! I am always struck by the numbers of general public attending– families with strollers and young kids visiting exhibits and talking design . You don’t see that everyday in the U.S.

But enough of my walk down memory lane. Here’s a sneak peek of what Milan Design Week 2012 will have to offer:

From the Simple:

Nino by Lucia Bruni via Designboom

nino is a recycled and recyclable candle lantern, perfect for both interior and exterior settings made from a  Italian ‘prosecco’ bottle.

To the Technical:

R18 Audi Chair via Designboom

The prototype chair is equipped with industrial sensors connected to a central server, alongside visualization displays. As an individual sits in the chair, information about the flow of forces from his or her weight is depicted onscreen and available to the person by e-mail as a personal, shareable video. the data will also be used by AUDI in optimization efforts to streamline the chair’s construction.

Speaking of Cars:

Mercedes Benz has teamed up with the Italian Formitalia Luxury Group, to launch a new collection into the furniture market, bringing Mercedes-designed chairs and tables to your living room under the Mercedes-Benz Style label.

Illuminating:

Inhale by Lasvit

For Lasvit’s Inhale Lamp, glass blowers form big air bubbles then inhale to produce an unusual shape with negative air pressure.

Press by Lasvit

Press lamps in pendant and floor styles rely on light sources tucked into compressed glass tubes to produce soft, organic forms.

New Meaning to the Kitchen:

Alpes Inox at Euro Cucina

Alpes Inox

Italian company Alpes Inox has integrated furniture and appliances in their new line of  freestanding cabinets. The fridge and raised oven are hidden behind the cabinet doors.

Alessi via designboom

Dutch architect Wiel Arets has collaborated with Italian company Alessi and Valcucine to create Lacucina Alessi. made entirely from glacier white Corian®. The freestanding piece has a unified appearance as the flush lower cabinets merge into the wrapped rounded counter top and integrated sink, all of which is held together by a hidden joint system.

Genius Inspiration:

Selvedge by Studio Raw Edges- Hallingal 65 Exhibition

My fabric mavens, you’ll love the special exhibition at Jil Sander. The special Kvadrat Hallingdal 65 exposition is curated by Tord Boontje among other notable designers and it features the works of 32 designers who have all re-interpreted the Hallingdal 65 in new contemporary ways. Hallingdal was the first fabric produced by Danish textile manufacturer Kvadrat. Designed by Nanna Ditzel in 1965, it has been updated with new colors as the Hallingdal 65.

The process

London-based design studio raw-edges (yael mer and shay alkalay) project Selvedge derives its name from the typically discarded selvages of fabric. Using the linear elements of the ‘Hallingdal 65′, they stretch it to dictate the form and structure of an armchair, emphasized by these ‘unraveling parts’- warp and weft threads. They then pulled out warp threads to create a hollow sleeve and then placed two layers in different colors on top of each other and joined them together using a transparent strip.
The result is a colorful rim which appears from the exterior, reminiscent of the selvedge that is found at the hem of raw fabrics.

Hallingal Table by Frederickson Stallard's

Another approach London-based designer Frederickson Stallard’s ‘Hallingdal table’. Using the fabric as a construction material, rather than solely for aesthetics, the table  explores the possibilities of achieving structure from a soft wool fabric, using nothing but the textile itself as the main building block.

To Over the Top:

More Art Factory furniture from luxury tile manufacturer Sicis

The Black Moon

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Fall 2012 Betsey Johnson

Today, designers know that what their customers are wearing is almost instantaneously translated into the rooms they’ll be wearing them in.

So here’s Pantone’s Fall 2012 Fashion Report that definitely forecasts our interiors color palettes.  Love potions, the magical hour of sunset; witches and warlocks, fantasy and illusion are all inspiring designers this fall. With an unexpected mix of darks, brights and neutrals, this palette not only has something for everyone, but can transport consumers to an enchanting place, free from the stresses of everyday life.

Transitioning into the season, Bright Chartreuse, a vital yellow-green, pays homage to a typical spring shade and creates a bridge as a perfect accent into fall.

Pink Flambé is a delicious, vibrant pink with a bit of heat to it and as we mentioned we saw in all the halls and showrooms at M&O and Paris Deco Off.

Pair it with tantalizing Tangerine Tango( 2012′s color of the year) for a retro feeling.

To calm things down, combine these vibrant warm tones with Ultramarine Green, a deep, cooling blue-green.

Rhapsody is an ethereal grayed-down purple that also encourages comfort and serenity with its quiet, muted tone.

Honey Gold, a mellow, burnished yellow, suggests the soft dappled light of Fall. Pair it with  Olympian Blue.

Olympian Blue, a patriotic blue that will surely make its way into athletic apparel and also referenced nautical looks for interiors.

French Roast is a sophisticated hue that is a great alternative to the black and charcoal basics.

Other staple neutrals include elegant and versatile Titanium, the quintessential cool gray, and Rose Smoke, a veiled rose tone that pairs well with Rhapsody and Titanium.

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Walking the aisles and showrooms in Paris for Maison & Objet and Paris Deco Off, I couldn’t help but note several colors that kept popping up everywhere! Put these on your must have list for 2012.

Fool’s Gold

Schumacher's Ripple Effect

This bold citron gold hue with brassy green undertones was all over the place. This is a color that’s hard to put your finger on. I find myself drawn to it and recently when deciding to paint my living room this color, I had a heck of a time getting it just right? This hue definitely evokes emotion- shifting from in-your-face to  moody  and sultry.  We’ve seen it before, but this time it was the center of attention and not an accent; showing up on different surfaces on new product categories, was interesting finishes to almost in some cases looking lit from within. Plus, it was mixed and matched with new colors creating unusual fresh schemes.

Miss Print fabrics and wallpapers

M&O Scenes d' Interieur

Pamplemousse M&O

JD Staron Ikat Rug

Perse Velvet from Karin Sajo

If you love this fabric, call me I am carrying this collection.

Nobilis Window Vignette

Artketing Trend Presentation- M&O

Lelievre

Nobilis Spring 2012 Collection

Maison & Objet

It’s been a couple of weeks since coming home for M&O and Deco Off. I jumped right into business as usual and just now have had some time to reflect, organize and my thoughts about the show. So this week, check out my series of posts of what trends and themes I see coming from the shows as well as my favorites and picks for the coming season.

Next Post: Hot Pink and Red are back.

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I am not one for practical jokes, but as a designer I do love  a good visual trick or two.  That’s what I am seeing lately -trompe l’oeil (French for “deceive the eye”)  looks from fashion to decor that marries whimsy and humor with style and design.

I’m seeing trompe l’oeil looks in :

Walls

Piet Hein Eek’s wallpaper  makes scrap wood gorgeous!

Koziel’s antique shutter wallpaper doubles your fun.This paper gives you pause- is there or isn’t there a window there?

What can a say?- Christain LaCroix for Designers Guild. LOVE.LOVE. LOVE

Need architectural detail? Berard has it.

Doors

Shelving

Deborah Bowness is a Genius with fool the eye looks

Everyone loves books Right?

Textiles

Windows

I ♥ Bauke Knottnerus’ trompe l’oeil curtains, they can be on a window in a doorway fooling the eye into believing there’s more space thanks to the perspective.

Koziel’s Decorative film provides the view and the ornate ironwork.

Fashion

See More

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Matisse's MONDRIAN fabric - 100% cotton

Ptolemy Couch Interiors UK

Elitis fabric

Pierre Frey colorblocked linen draperies

La Fibule Refuge

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